Alumni Profile: Yissel Melo

Yissel certainly made her mark on the BDEA community during her time at the school. She received numerous academic awards, including Math Achievement Award in 2005 and 2006, the Jay Ostrower Award in 2006, and she received the Mayor's Award for Academic Excellence.

Behind all of these honors and accomplishments has been years of hard work and perseverence. Yissel came to Boston from the Dominican Republic, and learned English from reading newspapers. Her favorite stores, and ones she credits for her grasp of the language were those about fellow Dominicans David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox.

At Boston Day and Evening Academy, her academic excellence was a direct result of her determination and willingness to put in the extra work. She was accepted to Pine Manor College, and was given the honor of Day Program Highest Academic Achievement for of the class of 2007 at BDEA. Yissel attended Pine Manor College during the fall semester of 2007, where she excelled academically. However, unable to secure the funding she needed, she has been unable to continue. Yissel is committed to her education, and heartened by the fact that with the help of the BDEA community and friends, she will be able to return to Pine Manor in the fall of 2008.

All donations are accepted on Yissel's behalf by Boston Day and Evening Academy Foundation, Inc., the 501(c) fiscal sponsor of Boston Day and Evening Academy. Funds will be put into a scholarship fund that will pay Yissel's tuition directly to her school in the fall of 2008. All donations are tax deductible.